Die Macht » the recipe to our success in July and the

CARLSBAD, Calif. -- Martina Hingis won in her return to the WTA Tour, teaming with Daniela Hantuchova for a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Julia Goerges and Darija Jurak on Wednesday night in the Southern California Open. Hingis, the 32-year-old former top-ranked singled player whose last tour match was September 2007, consistently showed the deft hands that made her a nine-time Grand Slam doubles champion before a sparse crowd that gave her a warm ovation when she was introduced. Asked if she felt nervous before the match, Hingis said, "Of course, who wouldnt be? Im only a human being, too." Hingis didnt touch the ball until the fifth point of the match but flashed her doubles talent when she hit a backhand volley right at Jurak for a point in the second game. "I felt like I got more comfortable (after the first set), returning, serving, everything," she said. "For me, mentally, I felt really good after that. The (first) service game of the second set, after that game I was like, Im back to normal." The five-time Grand Slam singles champion frequently flashed a smile as she and Hantuchova overwhelmed their opponents. The pair hugged after Hingis lob shot over Juraks head sealed the first-round match. "It was very special, very emotional," Hantuchova said. "I was also little bit nervous because obviously I wanted to play my best." Hingis is scheduled to play doubles with Hantuchova in four tournaments, including the U.S. Open. "It was a great test for us and being able to beat them the way we did, it just gives us a lot of hope for the coming weeks," Hantuchova said about beating the team that reached the final of the Bank of the West Classic on Sunday. Hingis has retired twice previously, the first time in early 2003 at 22 and the last time in November 2007. In singles, Ana Ivanovic advanced to the second round by beating defending champion Dominika Cibulkova 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. The seventh-seeded Ivanovic, from Serbia, won nine of the final 11 games. She used a strong ground game to overpower Cibulkova, the Slovak player coming off a tournament victory in the Bank of the West Classic at Stanford. "As soon as the draw came out I thought it was one of the toughest first-round matches, especially being a seeded player," said Ivanovic, the former top-ranked singles player and 2008 French Open champ. "But I was really happy with my performance. This kind of win obviously means a lot to me." Top-seeded Victoria Azarenka of Belarus beat Italys Francesca Schiavone 6-2, 6-3 in the second round. Azarenka was playing her first match since withdrawing from her second-round match at Wimbledon because of knee and hip injuries. "Just going on the court and competing was so much joy for me," Azarenka said. "I was really playing and happy to be doing something I was training for. . . . I dont think about it (injuries)." Ivanovic, who fired coach Nigel Sears after her second-round loss at Wimbledon, said she has been working on "being consistent and also working on that confidence part. I think it plays a big role. I felt like my game has been there at times but not my confidence." Third-seeded Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic and fourth-seeded Roberta Vinci of Italy had few problems in winning their opening matches after receiving first-round byes. Kvitova advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over British teenager Laura Robson. The victory avenged Kvitovas second-round loss to Robson at the Australian Open in January. Vinci beat American Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-4. In the late match, fifth-seeded Sam Stosur of Australia beat Kazakhstans Sesil Karatantcheva 6-4, 6-1 in the second round. Jonathan Lucroy Angels Jersey . The news was first reported on Gonzalezs Twitter account and confirmed by the Rockies. Gonzalez has a six-week window before position players have their first workout at spring training in Arizona. Matt Harvey Angels Jersey .com) - Yankee Stadium is the home of the Bronx Bombers, but on Sunday afternoon it will open its gates to host the latest addition of the Hudson River Rivalry. http://www.baseballangelslockroom.com/trevor-cahill-angels-jersey/ . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. Mike Trout Angels Jersey . Dallas hasnt ruled out the star quarterback for Sunday nights game against Philadelphia, but all signs point to Romos back injury pushing Kyle Orton into the starting role after two years of limited play as the backup. Surely Ortons name isnt the first that comes to mind for fans wanting a change after years of damaging interceptions, fumbles or, most infamously, the field goal flub when Romo dropped the snap on a kick that could have won his first playoff game in 2006. Kole Calhoun Angels Jersey . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. CINCINNATI -- With Mike Leake on the disabled list with shingles, rookie right-hander Alex Reyes is getting an opportunity to start for the St. Louis Cardinals, who are chasing a National-League wild-card spot.Reyes will make his second career start on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.Rated by Baseball America as the No. 1 prospect in the Cardinals organization, Reyes has shown good stuff, but command has been lacking at times.In 14 career innings, Reyes has allowed just one run while striking out 17. He has also walked eight, including four in his last outing.Theres a lot of room to grow, said manager Mike Matheny of Reyes. Most of it is going to be with fastball command, and fastball movement. Comes through struggles, trying to overthrow. Hell progress.Reyes faced the Reds once so far: a scoreless inning in relief on August 9.St. Louis enters this series having set a new franchise record with homers in 20 straight games. The Cardinals might add more offensive firepower on Friday when first baseman Matt Adams is expected to return. Adams who owns a 1.016 OPS against the Reds and has homered seven times at Great American Ball Park, missed the past 19 games with shoulder inflammation.Right-hander Anthony DeSclafani will make his 16th start of the season for the Reds on Friday. This will be DeSclafanis sixth career appearance and fifth start against the Cardinals, and second start of the season.DeSclafani is coming off his finest outing of the season on Saturday when he tossed a complete game, giving up only four hits with nine strikeouts in a 13-0 win at Arizona.It was his 11th qualityy start in 15 outings since coming off the disabled list on June 10.ddddddddddddDeSclafani was the first Reds pitcher to produce at least six wins without a loss over his first nine starts to begin a season since Paul Wilson went 6-0 in his first nine starts in 2004.Cincinnati scored only four runs total while being swept in a three-game series at Anaheim, after averaging 5.7 runs per game in August going into the series.Its certainly a step back from where weve been, but its the ebb and flow of the season, Reds manager Bryan Price said. We had a few tough starts, short starts, had to go to the bullpen early and werent able to get back into those games. That hadnt been the recipe to our success in July and the better part of August.Despite being swept, Cincinnati has played better since the All-Star break. A big reason why is the hot bat of first baseman Joey Votto, who batted .394 in August after a .419 clip in July. He just missed becoming the first major league player since Josh Hamilton in 2010 to bat .400 or better in consecutive months.Also hot for Cincinnati since being recalled from Triple-A is Jose Peraza, whos been getting regular time at shortstop with Zack Cozart out recently with an injury. Peraza is batting .463 since coming back.The normally vacant lockers in both clubhouses at Great American Ball Park likely will be occupied beginning Friday after the rosters expanded to 40 on Thursday.St. Louis has won seven of 12 meetings against the Reds this season. The teams have split six games at Great American Ball Park. ' ' '